Europe's Most Prestigious Folk Festival?

Subject: Europe's Most Prestigious Folk Festival?
From: GUEST,Dazbo at work
Date: 29 Aug 08 - 12:02 PM

Whilst perusing the schedule for BBC4 TV tonight I see there are three programmes from the Cambridge Folk Festival and the blurb says Cambridge FF is Europe's most prestigious. Now, having never been to CFF or even ever fancied going, I've heard of folk festivals on the continent that far outstip Cambridge in size (10,000 seater venues spring to mind), number of acts, variety of acts etc etc - not that I've been to any of them either.

So is Cambridge FF Europe's most prestigious?

Subject: RE: Europe's Most Prestigious Folk Festival?
From: Teribus
Date: 29 Aug 08 - 12:26 PM

My vote would be for Tønder in Denmark as a Folk Festival, or possibly Skagen also in Denmark as a Music Festival.

Subject: RE: Europe's Most Prestigious Folk Festival?
From: Kampervan
Date: 29 Aug 08 - 12:28 PM

It might have a claim to be the most prestigious music festival; but Folk festival - I don't think so.

K/van

Subject: RE: Europe's Most Prestigious Folk Festival?
From: Banjiman
Date: 29 Aug 08 - 12:48 PM

NO.....it's The Kirkby Fleetham Folk Club Winter Warmer weekend.....in my mind anyway!

Paul

Subject: RE: Europe's Most Prestigious Folk Festival?
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 29 Aug 08 - 12:58 PM

Although the first Wednesday of the month at the Beech in Chorlton, Manchester is not technically a festival it is, in it's own way one of the most prestigious events in the folk calender.

Otherwise Whitby and Shrewsbury

Subject: RE: Europe's Most Prestigious Folk Festival?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 29 Aug 08 - 02:27 PM

No way.

Subject: RE: Europe's Most Prestigious Folk Festival?
From: greg stephens
Date: 29 Aug 08 - 03:44 PM

Sixmilebridge in Co Clare, or next year in Cape Clear, Co Cork

Subject: RE: Europe's Most Prestigious Folk Festival?
From: Folkiedave
Date: 29 Aug 08 - 03:48 PM

Well - Ortigueira in Spain gets 100,000 attendees I am told. One day....one day......

Subject: RE: Europe's Most Prestigious Folk Festival?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 29 Aug 08 - 04:51 PM

Lorient claims 650,000, and even if that figure is massaged a bit, its dad can obviously beat up Cambridge's dad.

Subject: RE: Europe's Most Prestigious Folk Festival?
From: melodeonboy
Date: 29 Aug 08 - 05:16 PM

650,000? Blimey; no wonder I have so much trouble getting accommodation there!

As for the BBC4 programme on the Cambridge "Folk" Festival, I've just seen the first 40 minutes or so (YAWN!). Plenty of radio-friendly stuff. I won't say more otherwise the daggers'll be out!

I'm definitely getting my coat and scarperin'!!

Subject: RE: Europe's Most Prestigious Folk Festival?
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 30 Aug 08 - 04:06 AM

For Folk Music per square mile Whitby takes som e beating

Subject: RE: Europe's Most Prestigious Folk Festival?
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 30 Aug 08 - 08:20 AM

I'm not quite convinced prestige is determined by numbers of attendance, and I'd still go for Tonder Festival, which is on this very weekend.

Subject: RE: Europe's Most Prestigious Folk Festival?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 30 Aug 08 - 09:27 AM

Somebody once derided 'prestigious' as the adjective of last resort.

What exactly would a prestigious folk festival be?

Subject: RE: Europe's Most Prestigious Folk Festival?
From: alex s
Date: 30 Aug 08 - 09:38 AM

i'm with melodeonboy on CFF - boring stuff for the most part